By Angela Dorizas
The NSW Opposition and Ombudsman have renewed their calls for the establishment of a domestic homicide review to prevent further violence against women and children.
Earlier this week, Victoria became the first state in Australia to establish a coronial review into the occurrence of domestic homicide.
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics, 29 women and children were killed in domestic violence incidents between July last year and June this year. That figure, which is six above the average for the past decade, has raised alarm bells over domestic violence policies and a legal system that is failing to shield women and children from potentially fatal situations.
In addition, the Bureau found that there were 27,000 incidents of domestic violence-related assaults during the one year period, accounting for 30 per cent of all assaults reported to police.
The State Opposition’s spokeswoman for women Pru Goward said the figures were an "absolute indictment" of the State Government.
"The State Labor Government has had the opportunity to introduce a domestic violence homicide review for some time," Ms Goward told ABC News.
"It’s been called for by the sector, we’ve called for it. We’ve asked the Government and they consistently refuse to do it."
The establishment of a NSW review was first recommended in 2006 by the state Ombudsman Bruce Barbour. This week, Mr Barbour renewed his calls for a review into deaths caused by domestic violence. He said a review would help police and agencies to identify the clear warning signs of domestic homicide, which include threats of violence, access to weapons, depression and drug or alcohol related issues.
"Looking at how they are dealt with, whether they have been properly identified by agencies as signalling greater risk down the track, is very important to preventing these deaths," Mr Barbour told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The NSW Minister for Women Verity Firth told ABC News that she would consider the establishment of a domestic homicide review following the release of a discussion paper due out within the next few weeks.
"This discussion paper is essentially a whole-of-government strategic framework that will provide a blueprint for responses for domestic and family violence," Ms Firth said. "In this strategic framework, we will be considering all options."
For more information go to www.whiteribbonday.org.au
National Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 200 526
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